UK’s MHRA approves ZYNYZ as first treatment for advanced Merkel cell carcinoma – Incyte

According to the MHRA website, the MHRA approved Retifanlimab (Zynyz) as the first treatment given to adults with advanced Merkel cell skin cancer that has spread or returned and cannot be cured with an operation or radiotherapy.

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive type of skin cancer that develops from Merkel cells, specialised neuroendocrine cells found in the top layer of the skin.

Retifanlimab works by helping the body’s immune system recognise and attack cancer cells. It blocks a pathway that cancer cells can use to avoid being detected by the immune system, allowing immune cells to better identify and destroy them.

Retifanlimab is administered via diluted intravenous infusion over 30 minutes.

In a study of 101 adults with advanced Merkel cell carcinoma who had not previously received treatment for their advanced disease, 53.5% of patients responded to treatment with Retifanlimab. Of these, 16.8% had no detectable signs of cancer after treatment, while 36.6% experienced tumour shrinkage. Among patients who responded to treatment, the response typically lasted just over two years.